CHAPTER 1
DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK
Matt.24, Luke 17&21 and Mark 13 may, at first glance appear to be an unusual place to begin a discussion of Daniel's 70th week. However, a careful analysis of Jesus' prophetic statements contained in these Gospel accounts will reveal some very interesting things about the Abomination that causes Desolation which is an integral part of Daniel's 70th week. It is imperative that we interpret Old Testament truths in light of their New Testament application. Else, like the Pharisees of old, we may miss the truth, which God desires to convey to us because of some preconceived notion as to how some prophecy must be fulfilled. Therefore, before continuing with this study it is absolutely essential that the reader turns to the comparison of those Gospel accounts and thoroughly familiarizes himself with their contents. It is also important for the reader to understand how and why each account has been subdivided into the groups, which appear in this study. (see comparison on pages 2 & 3).
Because of the unquestionable interrelationships between the verses contained in the group 3 Gospel accounts there is little doubt that this series of events addresses the question posed in Lk.17:20; namely, "When (will) the kingdom of God come" group 4 clearly relate to the opening of the 6th seal in Rev.6:12-14 which means that the verses in this group must relate to the question of Matt.24:3, "... what will be the sign ... of the end of the age...? which proceeds the return of Jesus as discussed in group 3 (see also Acts 2:19-21). Therefore, that leaves us with only two other groups to consider as possible candidates for the answer to the disciple's question as to when the temple would be destroyed. These are either group 1 or group 2. (parenthesis added - follow lines). This question is in turn synonymous with that of Matt.24:3 which was "... what will be the sign of your com- ing...?" Under no circumstances can the verses in group 3 be considered as Jesus' answer to the disciple's question as to when the temple would be destroyed. Likewise, the verses in
None of the events found in group 2 can be considered as having to do with the coming of Jesus because none of them were referred to in the Lk. 17 account which specifically dealt with that question (see group 3). I believe that the Holy Spirit purposefully separated the Luke account of chapter 17 and 21 in order to give us a clear idea as to which verses in Jesus' answer dealt with which question. Note also that Lk.21:12, which is the first verse in group 2, clearly tells us that the events of group 2 proceed the events of group 1. Now, since the events described in group 1 are but a general description of the "birth pangs" (Matt.24:8 & Mk.13:8) which proceed by some time the end of the age, how can it be said that the events described in group 2 have anything to do with the end times when these events proceed even the birth pangs?
Group 2 proceeds group 1. Group 1 proceeds group 4, which relates to the 6th seal of Rev.6:12-14. Since the events referred to in group 2 clearly proceed the opening of the 6th seal, they must of necessity be referring to something other than the end of the age or the coming of Jesus. Since the disciples only asked about one other event; namely, the destruction of the temple, we must assume that the Scriptures in group 2 are in fact dealing with that event. And, as we well know, the temple was destroyed in 70 AD.
To assign group 2 to some future time period means that Jesus must have ignored the disciple's question as to when the temple would be destroyed, because as we have seen, no other group of verses comes even close to describing the destruction of the temple. In regards to the past tense nature of the Scriptures found in group 2 please note the following: Lk.21:20 clearly shows that there is a direct correlation between the surrounding of Jerusalem by armies, and Jesus' admonition to flee to the mountains. Since Matt. 24:15 and Mk.13:14 show a correlation between the Abomination that causes Desolation spoken of by Daniel and Jesus' admonition to flee to the mountains, it would seem that there must also be a correlation between the Abomination that causes Desolation and the surrounding of Jerusalem by armies. To maintain that there is no correlation between the two events is tatamont to assuming that the verses in Lk.21:12-14 are talking about a totally different series of events than those in Matt.24:9-22 & Lk.13:9-20. In order to do this; it is necessary to totally ignore the virtual identity in language between all three Gospel accounts of the verses found in-group 2.
Assuming then that a) the three Gospel accounts in group 2 are all referring to the same series of events, and b) this series of events deals with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, we are simply left with the job of seeing whether or not the known facts of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD match up with the events prophesied by Jesus. After we have examined all the other verses in group 2, we will then see what the Abomination was that caused this Desolation.
I do not believe that there is any question that the events described in the group 2 verses of Matt.24:9-14, Lk.21:12-19 and Mk.13:9-13 concern the events which occurred when the Gospel first went forth during the years 30 AD to 69 AD. Among other verses, Acts 5:18, Acts 12:2, Acts 8:1, Gal.5:11, Rev.2:10, I Thes.3:4, II Tim.3:11-12, Acts 4:8-20, Acts 22:30 and Acts 26:2 all clearly tell us that the disciples were both severely persecuted and at the same time presented with the opportunity to preach the Gospel to priests and kings.
Concerning Matt.24:14 and Mk.13:10, I call you attention to the note following the Matthew account in group 2. In the realm of the spirit the Gospel has been preached to every spirit. As of the time Jesus arouse (which was of course still future when Jesus was prophesying in these verses) the Gospel had been preached throughout the universe. (For a more detailed discussion of the spirit vis a vie the soul see Chapter 5 of The Last Enemy.) I believe that it was the preaching of the gospel to every human spirit at Jesus' resurrection that fulfilled this prophecy. Hence, as Col.1:23 and Titus 2:11 say, in one sense the Gospel has already been preached.
There are many that feel that the group 2 verses are all end time related. As such, Jesus will not return until the Gospel has been preached to every person on the face of the earth. If this is in fact true, than why does Isaiah 66 (which is clearly an end time prophecy concerning the Kingdom of God on earth) state in verse 19 that even as of this late date (after kingdom established) there will be some distant islands that still have not heard of God's fame or see His Glory? It would therefore appear that while we have the obligation to preach to the whole world in the natural realm (Matt.28:19), the literal completion of that task may in fact not be a prerequisite to the end of the age, but something that is completed in toto during the millennium. In the meantime, the Gospel has already been preached to every human spirit - and it was that preaching by Christ Himself immediately prior to His resurrection that fulfilled the prophecy of Matt.24:14 & Mk.13:10.
Concerning Matt.24:17-22, Lk.21:21-24 and Mk.13:15-20 allow me to note the following observations of the 1st Century Jewish historian Josephus who observed the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Roman army under Titus. During the siege of Jerusalem the famine which resulted within the city got so unbearable that nursing mothers were known to have consumed their own children (p.579). Gangs of robbers and thieves would roam through out the city breaking down any closed doors under the assumption that behind closed doors there was food. When discovered, food was literally taken from the mouths of children. In order to discover the whereabouts of food caches, torture was the norm and not the exception (p.564).
The Romans captured over 500 people a day trying to flee the famine in the besieged city. Each and every person so captured was crucified each night in front of the city walls (p.565). If these hardships were not bad enough, while they were occurring the two main factions of Jews within the city itself could not get along, and in between skirmishes with the Romans, killed and maimed as many of their own as did the Romans (p.557). So great was the infighting and rivalry that Josephus was led to say that in reality it was not the might of Rome which destroyed Jerusalem but that "sedition destroyed the city and the Romans destroyed the sedition." (p.557)
The calamity in the city was heightened by the fact that Titus began his siege of Jerusalem at Passover (p.551). The reason this so greatly compounded the suffering of the Jews is made evident once it is realized that the population of Jerusalem swelled enormously during what normally would be only a few day celebration of a religious feast. Remember, the majority of the population of all Israel would have been in Jerusalem at Passover. Accordingly, more than 2 million seven hundred thousand people were now shut up in a city which normally held less than 1/3 rd that number (p.588).
Titus could not have chosen a more opportune time to encircle so many Jews at one time as he did when he laid siege to Jerusalem at Passover. Since this was a Sabbath period no faithful Jew would flee Jerusalem because that would have required him to travel more than a Sabbath day's journey (Ex 16:29 and Act 1:12). So, rather than flee Jerusalem, the faithful Jew stayed and eventually died. On the other hand, any Christian present in the city on that day would feel no compunction about leaving because he was no longer under the old covenant law with its travel restrictions. The Jews refusal to leave Jerusalem was also encouraged by any number of false prophets who arouse telling of God's deliverance for them (p.582). On one particular occasion Titus let up on the siege in order to give those who wanted an opportunity to leave (p.560). The problem is, while some did get out, many who tried were killed by fellow Jews for trying to desert (p.564).
All told, the carnage in Jerusalem was so great that according to Josephus, "... neither did any other city ever suffer such miseries ... the multitude of those that therein perished exceeded all the destructions that either man or God ever brought upon the world" (p.565 & 588). Everything that could be burnt was burnt, however the piles of dead bodies was so great that at times "... the fire of many of the homes was quenched with these men's blood" (p.587). Had any more Jews perished truly there would not have been any left. Those that did not die were carried off as slaves to all parts of the Roman Empire - 97,000 in all (p.586-587). During the entire rebellion and siege more than 1,337,000 Jews were killed.
Now, while it is true that in sheer numbers more Jews perished during WW II at the hands of the Nazi, percentage wise, more of the nation of Israel was destroyed in 70 AD. Therefore, the distress of those days was greater than at any time in history, and clearly greater than any yet to come. (page citations are to Josephus, Kregel Publications, translated by William Whiston- click here to read and on-line version of this book) Therefore, the facts of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD clearly fit the prophecies of Jesus as given in 29 AD. Since the Abomination that causes Desolation is contained in this series of Scriptures, it also must of necessity have already occurred.
We are now left with one central question, "How can it be said that the Abomination that causes Desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel be something which is past tense as far as we are concerned, but still be future at the time Jesus was answering the disciples questions?" The answer to this question will be found as we examine what is known as "Daniel's 70th week" as described in Dan.9:24-27, for it is there that we find the prophecy of the Abomination that causes Desolation.
Verse 25 informs us that these 70 weeks of years are to begin "... from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem..." Note - NOT from the issuing of a decree to restore the temple, the altar, or the walls, but from the issuing of a decree to rebuild the CITY. Note also that we do not look at the second decree which concerns the city, but the first one. The question now before us is, "Which decree do we look at?" There are four possibilities to choose from, to wit:
#1 Cyrus' decree found in Ezra 1:2-4 circa 538 BC
#2 Darius' decree found in Ezra 6:2-12 circa 519 BC
#3 Artaxerxes' first decree found in Ezra 7:12-16 circa 458 BC
#4 Artaxerxes' second decree found in Neh.2:1-9 circa 445 BC
No Biblical scholar that I am aware of attempts to use either of the first two decrees as a starting point for Daniel's 70 weeks of years. Of the two remaining decrees, the second one (Artaxerxes' second decree circa 445 BC) receives the most preferential treatment by pretribulation rapture teachers.
Dan.9:25 says that "from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the ANOINTED ONE, the ruler, COMES, there will be SEVEN SEVENS, and SIXTY TWO SEVENS" (emphasis added) Seven sevens and sixty two sevens = 69 sevens (or weeks). Prophetically speaking scholars agree that one day equals one year. Therefore, 69 times 7 = 483 years. Hence, we would have 483 years from the issuing of the decree in question until the Anointed One comes. It is at this point that pretribulation rapture proponents make an interesting adjustment, which is seldom if ever pointed out by them. Allow me to explain what adjustment they make to the Scriptures, and how this adjustment effects the outcome of their teaching.
If we assume that the second decree of Artaxerxes (issued in 445 BC) is the correct one, and then move forward in time 483 years we come to 38 AD (remember, there is no '0' BC). Now, it is obvious that nothing happened in 38 AD in regards to the "Anointed One," especially when we consider that tradition says that Jesus was crucified on or before 32 AD. To rectify this obvious problem, the pretrib rapture teacher has devised a special year (a lunar year) consisting of only 360 days rather than a normal solar year, which consists of 365 1/4 days. By using this special year instead of a normal 365 1/4 day year, and after applying some tricky mathematical maneuvering they obtain an interesting result. Multiplying the 360 days in their year by the 483 years of Daniel's prophecy we get a total of 173,880 days. Now, if we then divide these 173,880 days by the number of days in a normal calendar year (365 1/4) we come up with 476 solar years. If we add these 476 solar years to the second decree of Artaxerxes (circa 445 BC) we arrive at 32 AD which, as noted earlier is the traditional date given for Jesus' crucifixion.
This switching back and forth from a solar year to a special lunar year allows the pretrib rapture advocate to use 445 BC as the starting point for his calculation, and then brings him to Jesus' crucifixion in 32 AD as the ending point. Since Daniel refers to 70 sevens, and the pretrib rapture teacher has used up only 69 sevens, he is left with one seven yet to be accounted for. There are therefore, by his method of calculation, 7 years left on God's prophetic time clock. According to the pretrib rapture teacher this remaining 7 year period is the great tribulation period mentioned in the Book of Revelation. They further state that in the middle of this final 7 year period the anti-Christ will set himself up in a temple in Jerusalem and demand to be worshipped as God. This action supposedly breaks a covenant the anti-Christ made with Israel only 3 1/2 years earlier and is itself the Abomination that causes Desolation referred to not only in Daniel 9:27, but in Matt.24:15 and Mk.13:14. (The supposed proclamation of deity by the anti-Christ in some future physical Jewish temple is based upon the pretrib interpretation of II Thes.2:4. This interpretation however ignores Paul's statements of I Cor.3:16 & II Cor.6:16, and further ignores the fact that the teachings of secular humanism could easily be viewed as presently fulfilling the prophecy of II Thes.2:4).
While all of the fancy mathematical foot work of the pretribber seems to provide a nice even flow of events, it totally ignores the fact that Matt.24:15 and Mk.3:14 have been shown to be events which are past tense in nature when viewed in light of Lk.21:20. In addition to this major problem, there are numerous other problems which are created by the type of mathematical manipulations the pretribber has used to arrive at their conclusion that the Abomination that causes Desolation is still in the future.
Foremost among these is the problem, which is uncovered when we use their same formula and go backwards from Jesus' crucifixion towards Artaxerxes decree. Just what does happen when we move backward? Let's see. Since Jesus was about 33 years old when He was crucified, I should be able to find the year of His birth by multiplying 33 times 360 days (11,800 days), then dividing that answer by 365 1/4 days, just as we did before. This gives us 32.5 solar years.
Now, starting at 32 AD and moving backwards 32.5 years we would be forced to assume that Jesus was born in 1 BC. The only problem with this date is that there is not one single Biblical scholar in Baker's Handbook of Biblical Lists who would place the birth of Jesus around 1 BC. Indeed, this would be very difficult to do, because King Herod, who ordered the death of all 2 year olds in Bethlehem (Matt.2:16) died in 4 BC, and it cannot be said that Jesus was born 3 years after Herod died!!! And this is only the first problem encountered by applying the pretrib rapture teacher's formula to Dan.9:25.
The second problem comes into focus when we remember that Dan.9:25 told us that 69 sevens (483 years) would transpire from the issuing of the decree until the COMING, or appearing of the Anointed One. Jesus first appeared to all of Israel as Messiah when He was baptized, not crucified (John 1:29-41 & Matt.3:16-17). Needless to say, there is no way you can use 445 BC and add 483 years to that and come up with either Jesus' birth or His baptism - or for that matter, the correct date for His crucifixion. Recognizing this problem, some pretribbers now state that the 483 years actually brings us to His triumphant entry into Jerusalem shortly before His crucifixion. While there is no question that many people recognized Jesus as Messiah at that time, Daniel's prophecy did not deal with the people's recognition of Jesus' position as Messiah, but the initial appearing of Him in that role to the nation of Israel. That took place at His baptism, not His entry into Jerusalem.
The use of the second decree of Artaxerxes as the starting point for the calculation of the 483 years is actually the crux of the whole problem. The use of this date requires the manipulation of the calendar year around a lunar year, which the Israelites had not done since they were in the wilderness during the time of the Exodus. It further presupposes that even if they did use such a calendar, they did not make corrections for the fact that there are in reality 365 1/4 days in a full year. Even when a lunar monthly calendar was used, they did make the necessary adjustment to account for the actual number of days in a year.
In point of fact, while they used a monthly lunar calendar (30 days) for purposes of their religious feasts, they used a solar yearly calendar for accurate computation of the earth's orbit around the sun. Had they not done so, then after only a few years they would have been celebrating Passover in winter, and the Feast of Tabernacles in the Spring, which would have been in direct violation of God's commands. (Even strong pre-trib advocates such as Grant A. Jeffrey acknowledge that the ancient Israelites accurately supplemented their lunar calendar with an extra month approximately every 3 years - See p.60 of his book The Handwriting of God, Oct. 1997) Furthermore, there is much Biblical evidence that as far back as Solomon the Jews used a solar calendar consisting of 365 1/4 days. (For a more detailed discussion of the Jewish calendar, both religious and civil, see any good Biblical reference book.) Finally, the assumption of a lunar calendar in the case of Daniel's 70 weeks ignores the fact that the angel was speaking to Daniel, who had full knowledge of correct astronomical calculations (Dan.1:17).
The greatest problem however deals with the contents of Artaxerxes second decree circa 445 BC. This was not the FIRST decree, which mentioned the CITY of Jerusalem. (In point of fact, it must be noted that while Nehemiah mentioned the city in his request to the king (Neh.2:5), it does not state that the king, in his decree, gave Nehemiah the equipment and supplies he needed for anything but the wall. The city itself was not mentioned Neh.2:8).
The FIRST decree which concerned Jerusalem was Artaxerxes first decree as recorded in Ezra 7:13-16 which was issued in 458 BC. While there can be no doubt that Jerusalem was not completely rebuilt as a result of this decree, it must be remembered that the starting point of our calculation in Dan.9:25 is not the actual construction, but the issuing of the decree to construct. This is not to say that there was not at least some construction taking place on the city before the second decree of 445 BC. Neh.3:10,20, 23,28,29 & 7:13 clearly indicate that by then some houses had already been rebuilt. This would not have been done before some decree authorizing reconstruction had been issued. Again though, it must be reemphasized that the important thing is not the construction itself, but the issuing of the decree for said construction. And that first came forth in 458 BC, not 445 BC.
What happens then if we use 458 BC as the starting point for our calculation instead of 445 BC? Several things. First of all, we do not need to manipulate the calendar in any way. If we add the 483 years of Dan.9:25 to 458 BC we arrive at 26 AD. Now since Scripture itself does not give us actual calendar dates it is necessary to determine dates by some process which is hopefully more accurate than that used by the pretrib rapture teachers. In this case let us first assume that 26 AD represents the year in which Jesus was baptized. This assumption is based upon the possibility that the "coming" of the Anointed One referred to in Dan.9:25 refers not to Jesus' crucifixion when He was "cut off," (the event referred to in Dan.9:26), nor to His birth which was not made known or proclaimed throughout the whole nation, but to His baptism when it was publicly declared for the first time to all of Israel that Jesus was their Messiah, and then anointed by the Holy Spirit.
This assumption is by no means far fetched, for the New English Bible and the Moffat translation, to name just a few of the modern translations, clearly indicate that the event being referred to in Dan.9:25 would be exactly that, the initial public proclamation of, or anointing of, the Messiah. The event prophesied in verse 25 could therefore easily have been fulfilled by John's and then the Holy Spirit's baptism of Jesus. (Note, Lk.3:1 tells us that among other things, it was during the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar that John began baptizing in the wilderness. Tiberius was co-ruler with Augustus for at least 2 years prior to Augustus' death. Thus, the 13th year of Tiberius' sole reign was the 15th year of his reign. Therefore, Tiberius' 15th year on the throne occurred in 26 AD. Likewise, as of 26 AD Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee, Herod Phillip was Tetrarch of Iturea & Trachenitis and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. Joseph Caiaphas was High Priest from 18 AD to 37 AD, and his father-in-law Annas, who was High Priest from 6 AD to 15 AD, was also still considered a High Priest - all in 26 AD.)
Given therefore that Jesus' baptism took place in 26 AD, which was 483 solar (normal) years after Artaxerxes' first decree in 458 BC, what happens if we move backward in time in order to ascertain the time of Jesus' birth, just as we did in the case of the pretrib rapture teachers calculations? Since we do not have to adjust our years, we find that if we go straight back 30 years from Jesus' baptism (Lk.3:23) we arrive at 5 BC as the approximate time of His birth. Guess what? 5 BC just so happens to be the date which is acceptable to 8 out of 11 of the scholars whom we saw earlier had unanimously rejected the date of 1 BC which we would be forced to accept as the birth date for Jesus under the manipulated calculations used by advocates of the pretribulation rapture theory who use Artaxerxes 445 BC decree as their starting point.
By using the 1st decree of Artaxerxes in 458 BC we have cleared up the three greatest difficulties created when his 2nd decree is used. First, we have not had to use an inaccurate calendar year in order to substantiate our position. Secondly, we arrive at the coming, or appearance of the Messiah rather than His crucifixion. Thirdly, we are able to accurately reconcile all of the Scriptures concerning the physical birth of Jesus. Herod was still alive in 5 BC and Quirinius, who had been appointed governor of Syria in 6 BC was still in office.
This method of calculation uses the entire 483 years to bring us to the baptism of Jesus. How much time is then left on God's prophetic time clock? If you will recall, Daniel's prophecy was for 70 sevens, and not just 69 sevens. That would leave 1 seven unaccounted for, which is what the followers of pretrib rapture theology maintains is the tribulation period spoken of in Revelation. However, if you will recall, the pretribbers used 483 years to bring us to Jesus' crucifixion; whereas, our calculation used 483 years to bring us to His baptism, which was just the beginning, and not the end of His public ministry.
Therefore, we have 3 1/2 years of His ministry still to account for. Since the pretribber has no time for Jesus' ministry within the original 483 years, they are forced to assume that Dan.9:27 deals with the anti-Christ; whereas, our position allows us to assume that verse 27 refers not to the anti-Christ, but to Jesus. Verse 27 reads as follows: "He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven, but in the middle of that seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering..." If we assume, as do the pretribbers, that verse 27 refers to the anti-Christ, we must now ask ourselves two questions? "What is the nature of the covenant he confirms with the many?" And, "When did he make it with them originally in order to confirm it now?"
No where in the Bible will the pretribber find the answer to either of these questions. They can do no better than to infer their answers. The pretribber is forced to infer that the anti-Christ, at some previous point in time, must have entered into a covenant with Israel to allow her to offer up physical sacrifices in some, as of yet, undisclosed temple, and then stops them from doing so 3 1/2 year later. Recognizing the fact that no where else in Scripture do we find any discussion of such a covenant between the anti-Christ and Israel, some pretribbers believe that the covenant refer red to in this verse is being made for the first time at the beginning of the 70th week. Yet the Bible does not tell us that some new covenant is being made. In fact, the Hebrew language which would be used if some new covenant were being made for the first time is conspicuously absent from this verse. Instead, the Holy Spirit is clearly showing us (by the specific Hebrew language used) that it is in fact some previously existing covenant which is being renewed or confirmed.
To interpret verse 27 in such a way as to infer a new covenant between the anti-Christ and Israel, clearly causes more problems than it could possibly solve. First, it creates a covenant that is never before, or never again mentioned in Scripture, which is a clear violation of the principle that God speaks to us twice. Secondly, it limits the covenant to Israel when the verse itself clearly indicates that the covenant is given to more than just Israel. (Note the word "many" as opposed to the words "your people" meaning the people of Israel which are used in verse 24.) Finally, it changes the clear meaning of the phrase correctly translated as "confirm" to an incorrect translation of "make up a new one."
A more accurate understanding of verse 27 shows us that it was Jesus Christ at His baptism who confirmed God's previously made covenant with all mankind that a Savior would be born to redeem man from the law of sin and death (Gen.3:5 & 17:6). And that it was His death 3 1/2 years later, which was in the middle of that final 7 year period known as Daniel's 70th week, that put and end to the law with all of its sacrifices and offerings (Eph.2:15; Col.2:13-14; Ro.7:6 & Gal.3:13). It is more grammatically correct to say that in the Hebrew the "HE" of verse 27 refers to the "Anointed One" (Messiah) of verse 26 than to say that it refers to some unmentioned anti-Christ. Therefore, the first 3 1/2 years of the final 7 year period mentioned by Daniel were completed by the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. That leaves us with 3 1/2 years left on God's prophetic time clock, not 7. (Note, our calculation places Jesus' crucifixion in 29 1/2 or 30 AD instead of the traditionally assumed date of 33 AD. However, as you will recall, Jesus was born in 5 BC. If His crucifixion was in 33 AD, that would make Him 37 years old, and we know that when He died He was about 33. The 33 AD crucifixion date is based upon a birth date of 1 BC, which was 3 years after King Herod died in 4 BC. Six of the Bible scholars I referred to earlier recognize the inconsistency of the 33 AD crucifixion date, and accept 29 1/2 or 30 AD as the correct date.)
It has been said that God's prophetic time clock runs only when His people are acting according to His desires and directions. After having read Gal.5:1; 4:9; Ez.20:25; Gal.3:10 and Gal.12:16 please tell me how God could possibly be pleased with the physical sacrifices Jesus put an end to. It would seem more likely that the end time ministry of the body of Christ during the final 3 1/2 years of this age (as symbolized by the two witnesses of Rev.11:1-14) would be more pleasing to God than would the aroma of physical sacrifices which are reinstituted only because of some treaty with the anti-Christ. All Scripture speaks only of a final 3 1/2 year period (Rev.13:5 & Dan.7:25). Where can we find reference to a seven year period of rule or preeminence by anti-Christ? God speaks to us twice, but on the subject of a seven year anti-Christ He is totally silent!!! Of Daniel's 70th week I believe that it can be said that there are but 3 1/2 years left, not 7.
Jesus said that no man would know the day of His coming. However, the pretrib rapture teacher seems to ignore the fact that their interpretation of Dan.9:27 by definition tells us exactly when Jesus will return. According to their teaching all a person would need to do is count forward 3 1/2 years from the day that the anti-Christ puts an end to sacrifice and sets himself up in the temple demanding to be worshipped, and you will know exactly when Jesus is to return, because the 70th week will be completed 3 1/2 years after that event.
However, if the Abomination that causes Desolation was the crucifixion of Jesus (see footnote "h" Dan.9:27 NIV), then that event is indeed past tense for us and leaves us with a future 3 1/2 year period whose precise beginning could never be nailed down to the hour and day as could the supposed actions of the anti-Christ. Consider this: THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS WAS THE MOST ABOMINABLE THING THAT EVER OCCURRED ON THE EARTH. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS REPRESENTED THE ULTIMATE REJECTION OF HIM BY THE JEWS, AND WAS THE SINGLE EVENT, WHICH LED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. Remember, Jesus clearly prophesied their destruction because of their rejection of Him (Matt.23:35-38). When Jesus prophesied these events, the Abomination (His crucifixion) that causes Desolation (the destruction of Jerusalem) was still a future event, but for us it is past tense in nature.
By placing the Abomination that causes Desolation in the past, the events of Matt.24:9-22; Mk.13:9-20 and Lk.21:12-24 come into better perspective. By taking the position that these events have already happened, conflicts between verses are eliminated. Scriptural principles concerning interpretation so as not to cause conflicts, and the maintenance of uniformity of translation of phrases have been followed. Most importantly though, we are better able to follow Jesus' command of Mk.13:37 "what I say to you, I say to everyone, "WATCH" (emphasis added). Now however, we will not be watching for something to take place that has already transpired. Instead of being concerned with the physical sacrifices which misguided orthodox Jews may or may not reinstitute in Jerusalem, our attention will be directed toward the sacrifice of praises which are to be offered unto the Most High God from a humble and contrite heart. We will not be concerned about fleeing some end time anti-Christ led offensive in the winter, or on the Sabbath, or be fearful for pregnant women and nursing mothers because, as we have discovered, those warnings had nothing to do with end time events, but were given to the generation of believers who were alive in 70 AD.
This does not mean that end time believers have it easy. Among other verses, Dan.7:15-27 clearly indicates otherwise. The point simply is this: The Abomination that causes Desolation is not one of the signs which we are to look for as we keep watch for Jesus' return. It would also appear that there is not a 7 year period of tribulation waiting for us in the not to distant future, but rather a 3 1/2 year period whose point of beginning cannot be as easily determined as that suggested by the apparently erroneous assumption that the actions of the beast of Rev.13:1-10 are one in the same as the Abomination that causes Desolation.
I am well aware of the fact that this lesson calls into question some cherished theological concepts. However, when those concepts are based upon mathematical manipulations and unsound foundations (wrong decree: 445 BC instead of 458 BC), and most importantly, do not stand up to close Scriptural scrutiny; they must fall. Any end time teaching that has these concepts as part of its structure is like the house built on sand. The storm, in this case the tribulation, will destroy not only the house, but also all those who dwell therein. During the great tribulation there will be only one place of shelter, and that is in the secret place of the Most High (Ps.91:1&9).
Those who seek shelter in the house of pretribulation rapture theology will in all likelihood find rest only in the grave (Isaiah 57:1-2). They will be saved, and in heaven, but they will have to die to get there. Death is still our enemy (I Cor.15:26), and will claim as many end time believers as possible. If this is indeed the last generation, why exchange the possibility of being alive and remaining when Jesus returns (I Cor.15:51) for the insecure house of pretribulation rapture which has us searching the future for events which took place 1900 years ago? This is not to say that a new temple will not be built in Jerusalem. However, it seems quite clear that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not dependent upon that event, for the Abomination that causes Desolation is something which has already occurred.
Finally, I hope that any pretribulation rapture advocate who has read this far and who finds himself on earth when the trumpets of Rev.8&9 begin to sound will not delay any longer his search for the secret place of the Most High simply because he is waiting for the Abomination that causes Desolation to yet occur (Zeph.2:3). Such complacency (ie. putting your hope in pretribulation rapture instead of the protection of the Most High), however well meaning, may nevertheless prove to be physically deadly (Amos 6:1). The price Moses paid for breaking God's pattern was his life (Nu.20:10-12 & Ps.106:33). Remember, Moses was in the generation that was supposed to physically come into the promised land, but he was unable to do so until after his physical death, and then only for a little while (Matt.17:3). He was not able to fully enjoy all of the blessings God wanted to bestow upon Him.
Take heed therefore that we do not go about looking for events that likewise break God's pattern, for needless physical death may be the result of that search. Rather, pray that we may all be likened unto the servants in Matt.24:45-47 who are found faithfully carrying out the Master's directions which are # 1 -occupy till I come, and # 2 - watch for My return (Lk.19:13 & Mk.13:37).
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS
MATTHEW
Signs of the End of the Age
Cha 24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 "Do you see all these things?" he asked, "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
LUKE
Signs of the End of the Age
Cha 21 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
7 "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen" And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
MARK
Signs of the End of the Age
Cha 13 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!"
2"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter James, John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"
GROUP #1
MATTHEW
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these things are the beginning of birth pangs.
LUKE
8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he', and 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
10 Then he said to them: 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
MARK
5 Jesus said to them: Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pangs.
GROUP #2
MATTHEW
9 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. [see editor's note #1]
15"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. [see editor's note # 2] 21 For then there will be great distress unequal-ed from the beginning of the world till now - and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
editor's note # 1
As to verse 14 see Col.1:23 and Titus 2:11. See also Isaiah 66:19 and consider this: Isaiah 66 is and end time prophecy; yet, in the natural realm not all have heard the gospel. Matt.24:14 was fulfilled in the realm of the spirit as of Col.1:23.
editor's note # 2
Verse 20 addressed to 1st century Jews and not end-time Christians
LUKE
12 But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. [see editor's note # 1] They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
20 When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. [see editor's note # 2] 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that ha s been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
editor's note # 1
Verse 12 makes it clear that this series of verses precedes all the verses in Group # 1
editor's note # 2
Verse 20 is the key to understanding when this series of events takes place (70 AD). Verse 22 clearly refers back to Matt. 23:35-38
MARK
9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the holy Spirit.
12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14 "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. [see editor's note # 1] 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now - and never to be equaled again. 20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.
editor's note # 1
Verse 14 was prophectic at the time it was given; however, it was fulfilled in 70 AD. See page 128 of the book entitled The Incredible Coverup (softcover 2nd printing)
GROUP #3
MATTHEW
23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look here is the Christ1' or, 'there he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Whenever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
_____________________
The Day and Hour Unknown
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man . 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to him-self, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of the servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
LUKE
Cha 17
s
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied. The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
22 Then he said to his disciples, 'The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 Men will tell you, 'there he is! or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightening, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
26 Just as in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroy-ed them all.
30 It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with goods inside, should go down to get them. Like-wise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed, one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.
36 (…)
37 "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."
MARK
21 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect - if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
_____________________
[see editor's note #1]
The Day and Hour unknown
32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!"
editor's note # 1
Carefully note that while verses 32-37 are separated from 21-23, that the contents of these two sets of verses clearly refer to the coming of Jesus. This is easily determined when it is noted that Luke chapter 21 makes no mention of these events. Rather, they are contained only in the Luke chapter 17 answer to the question which concerns the coming of the kingdom. Verses 24-31, while contained in the middle of this discourse on the return of Jesus, actually deal with the closely related subject of the end of the age. The same is true of Matt.24: 23-28 and Matt. 24:36-51 in their relationship to Matt.24: 29-35
GROUP #4
MATTHEW
29 "Immediately after the distress of those days
"the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather the elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [see editor's note #1] 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
editor's note #1
"This generation" of verse 34 refers not to those who were alive when Jesus was speaking, but to those who are living at the time the events of verse 24 transpire.
LUKE
Cha 21
25 There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
MARK
25 "But in those days, following that distress,
"the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken' [see editor's note # 1]
26 "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
editor's note #1
The "those days" of verse 24 refers to the days of "birth pangs" found in verse 8 in Scripture group # 1. Remember, in terms of a chronological sequence we have:
Group 2 followed by
Group 1 followed by
Group 4 followed by
Group 3